California Fish and Game Wardens
Association
CA GAME WARDEN NEWS
CA Game Wardens working with multiple agencies arrest six involved in illegal marijuana cultivation
September, 2015
CA Game Wardens are integrally involved in tactical and environmental operations to protect California from illegal marijuana grows. As the historic drought wears on and the most populous US state continues to expand, these illegal grows pose exceptional safety and resource threats. Outlaw marijuana growers steal water from all of CA, increasing severe drought conditions. Marijuana plants use six to eight gallons of water per plant per day. Beyond that waste, these grows are direct hazards to wildlife that eat the plants, drink from contaminated water, or are poached for food or plant protection purposes. Wardens and other law enforcement officials are always concerned for people walking or hiking in these areas, which are prolific across the state, as outlaw growers and drug smuggling organizations are typically heavily armed.
30 new Wardens join California's Thin Green Line
August 2015
Thirty men and women recently graduated from the California Wildlife Officer Academy, in partnership with Butte College's POST-certified law enforcement academy. Twenty-three of these Cadets will soon being the final phase of their arduous journey to become solo Game Wardens. "These men and women have made a choice to join the ranks of California's first statewide law enforcement agency", said Nick Buckler, President of the California Fish and Game Wardens' Association (CFGWA). "It is still a little sad to know that some of these sorely needed new Wardens and their families will soon qualify for WIC and other government subsidies due to a lack of adequate compensation," Buckler continued. The CFGWA was present at the ceremony and personally welcomed each of the 30 graduates to the law enforcement family, and especially to welcome those 23 new Wardens to California's Thin Green Line.
Game Wardens bust poachers using juvenile salmon as bait
May 2015
Game Wardens recently apprehended another group using juvenile salmon as bait near the state's Capitol. Low water and low Warden numbers have created poor conditions for juvenile salmon trying to find their way to the ocean. California's drough has had an impact on California's resources, from individual species to large habitats and ecosystems. Wardens in the renowned Bay-Delta region are busy 24/7 protecting the wide range of species in the area. Statewide, Game Wardens are the first and best line of resource protection. They risk their lives to protect California's drinking water, watersheds, and wildlife from illegal commercialization, pollution, habitat destruction, and poaching.
Game Wardens and Amador County D.A. send clear message
December, 2014
After receiving a tip from the public, Game Wardens apprehended an Amador County man. The 24-year old man admitted to using someone else's deer tag and poaching trophy deer out of season. Thanks to Governor Jerry Brown and the CA Legislature, in 2012 AB 1162 was signed into law, and greatly increased the fines and penalites for take of trophy animals out of season. The Amador County suspect was fined $19,250, lost his hunting privileges for 3 years during probation, and forfeited all the wildlife evidence Wardens seized during the investigation.
CA Game Warden Mounted Horse Patrol
December 2014
In an age of growing technology, sometimes there is simply no replacement for the connection between humans and animals. CA Game Wardens have renewed horse-mounted patrols throughout California's backcountry and wilderness areas. These pristine areas can be exposed to high public use, but receive very little if any law enforcement presence. Mounted horse patrol Wardens are able to venture farther into these areas in order to contact resource users and outdoor enthusiasts. More frequently, Wardens encounter armed violators in these out-of-the-way locations. These patrols will greatly increase Wardens role in public safety, resource protection, and can greatly assist all who venture into California's wild.